Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Chells, Hertfordshire
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out drone roof surveys in Chells and across Hertfordshire, with plain-English findings.
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
How a drone roof survey works in Chells
Neighbours’ privacy matters on every flight. The camera stays on your roof, not on gardens or windows next door. If your roof is shared, a word with next door beforehand helps. We survey the roof you’ve asked us to look at. Flights are kept as short as the job allows and focused on the roof in question. Common reasons to book are cracked mortar along the ridge and vegetation in valleys and gutters, across large and complex roofs, fragile roofs and valleys and parapet gutters.
Around Chells, older homes can have thin loft insulation and later additions with roofs of their own. Thermal patterns and close-up photos together give a fuller picture of the roof. Findings are checked with moisture readings where needed. Calm, dry weather suits both methods, so the date is set with the forecast in mind.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Where
- Chells (SG2, SG1)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Ridges and hips
Ridges may be bedded in mortar or mechanically fixed. Their condition is noted in the report.
Valleys and parapet gutters
Hidden gutters and valleys sit out of sight. A drone shows linings, joints and build-ups of debris.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Chells
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed beforehand. Surveys run on any day of the week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
What happens on the day
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes about one to two hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. You are welcome to ask questions while we’re there. A visit to a smaller place like Chells is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- We start with the address and what you’d like checked.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are looked at.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
Book a survey
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £400, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Related advice
Common questions in Chells
Is drone flying allowed in Chells?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain.
Is my home in Chells listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We do not sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it is disturbed.
How much does a drone roof survey cost in Chells?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your survey before booking, based on the roof’s size, access and package. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it’s safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. We use safe viewpoints, the loft space and a drone where applicable.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We carry out surveys on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a date, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain does not typically stop a survey, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Strong wind or a downpour can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so if conditions are not right we will arrange another day with you.
Checking the roof from the ground
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in.
Drone roof surveys around Chells
Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Aston Bury, about 2.4 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Chells. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from ground level, and a survey from above or with a thermal imager does not touch the roof itself. For site and facilities teams at buildings like The Nobel School, big roofs are where aerial photos and thermal images show the most at once. For an older house near a landmark such as St Hugh & St John, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that’s where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Chells is about 1 mile east of Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. We cover Chells and the rest of Hertfordshire. Across Hertfordshire, we cover Chells and the places around it. There’s also a page for Milton Keynes.
We cover every part of SG2 and SG1 for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. We cover properties on Scott Road, Eliot Road and Newton Road and the roads around them. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Stevenage (1 mile west), St Nicholas (1 mile north-west), Pin Green (1 mile west), Aston End (1 mile south-east) and Bedwell (1 mile south-west). Further out, we also cover St Albans (13 miles south-west), Bishop's Stortford (14 miles east), Welwyn Garden City (8 miles south), Harpenden (10 miles south-west), Hitchin (5 miles north-west) and Hoddesdon (13 miles south-east).
What’s near Chells
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Lodge Farm Primary School and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Stevenage station, roughly 1.8 miles south-west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Lister Hospital (2.1 miles north-west) and Benington Castle (2.4 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Pryor's Wood.
What we can’t see
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
Places near Chells
Other services in Chells
How we price drone roof surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. This is what makes a difference:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- The size of the roof
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Our price is from £400, including VAT.
Getting in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- What’s prompted the survey
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- The address and postcode of the property
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.